Friday, October 24, 2008

A 29-year-old woman was found stabbed to death in the 1300 block of Kowalski Avenue yesterday morning, the second homicide in Santa Barbara this year.Santa Barbara Police officials said a 24-year-old man, who the woman was dating, allegedly stabbed her in the neck and left her bleeding in the street.The victim was identified as Lisa Marie Zazueta of Santa Barbara.

Police responded to the Westside neighborhood at 12:38 a.m. after receiving a call from the suspect, Garren Musser, who was eventually arrested for suspicion of homicide.Sgt. Lorenzo Duarte, a police spokesman, said Musser and other residents living at 1310 Kowalski Ave. agreed to be interviewed by detectives at the police station.“Once at the station Musser provided information to detectives indicating that he was responsible for the homicide,” Duarte said.He said the woman appeared to have been stabbed once.According to Duarte, Musser and Zazueta had recently started dating, and there was no history of abuse between the two.The victim’s grandmother, Mary Zazueta, told the Daily Sound her granddaughter met Musser at a downtown bar three weeks ago. She insisted the two were not dating, but had seen each other on at least two occasions.She said her granddaughter, who was married and had two children, went to see Musser just after midnight.“He murdered her with a senseless act,” she said. “It was our first granddaughter. It’s just horrible.”While details of the victim and suspect’s involvement remain fuzzy, Duarte said Musser apparently stabbed the woman as a result of an argument concerning their relationship.Duarte said police recovered a knife they believe was used by Musser to assault Zazueta.Musser was booked into Santa Barbara county jail on suspicion of homicide. Duarte said chargers are pending.Due to the ongoing investigation, Duarte would not disclose if Musser had a prior criminal history.By yesterday afternoon, a small memorial of two candles, a feather and roses had been erected on the curb near where Zazueta’s body was discovered.A group of Musser’s neighbors were still reeling from the killing, puzzled as to why the young man would kill someone.“It’s just shocking because it’s so quiet here,” said a 35-year-old mother of three who lives one house down from the Musser residence. “We still can’t believe that this happened.”The woman said Musser lived with his parents. She said he didn’t talk much, but was always polite and would often say hello to her and her children.“We saw her lying [in the street],” the woman said. “I haven’t been able to sleep, just having the image of her face in my mind.”

She didn't abandon her children! That is UNREAL that someone would post that, she was a good mother and she loved her children, husband and family. You really ought to be ashamed of yourself for that one.